Father Geek tells of the Harry & Patricia Wedding!

Harry Knowles & Patricia Cho Jones got hitched in an grand traditional ceremony (except for the music of MATES OF STATE's "Drop An Anchor" & The PIPETTES' "Your Kisses Are Wasted On Me) at GREEN PASTURES, a histortic southern-style mansion in the heart of old south Austin, (it was the boyhood home of the legendary writer-historian John Henry Faulk) on Sunday evening July 15, 2007.
After gathering inside for an hour of cool drinks, a mountain of fresh fruits, smoked cheese, pate and stimulating conversation the vows were taken at sunset under the moss draped century's old Live Oak trees on the natural lush green carpet of thick grass that covered the several acre grounds of the stone walled compound. A dozen, or so, colorful Peacocks mingled with the 150+ formally attired relatives and friends in attendance. Behind the wedding party hundreds of Texas "Lightning Bugs" flashed their approvial right on cue as darkness fell and the western clouds turned a deep "hot" pink. The wedding party and guests then retired to the elegant decor of the
mansion's spacious interior.
Once inside, guests with the aid of the entryway seating chart found their tables & chairs and begin devouring the wine, crab cakes, prime rib, saffaron rice, artichoke hearts and a dozen other treats offered-up by Green Pastures excellant chefs. (the mansion has been a phantastic upscale dining establishment since before WWII). Each of the 25 tables had a centerpiece crystal vase with peacock feathers and matching flowers, plus a live Burmese Fighting Fish swimming among the stems for the table occupants to fight over and take home. (every guest got a box of Texas Pecans covered in dark chocolate to take with them) After about an hour & a half the bride and groom unveiled their respective wedding cakes, cut them and passed out the quickly consumed pieces. (Hair's was chocolate with apricots, Pat's a white butter with strawberry) Then it was toast time, and the champaine was flowing. Best man Roland Denoie recounted a long story of Harry falling out of a tree when they were both 6 and somehow tied it in to the events of the day quite well.
Meanwhile during all the above...
Outside there was rock'n entertainment. On the aged brick patios, porches and wide walkways Tim and Karrie League of the Alamo Drafthouse had arranged for one of their huge outdoor screens to be setup along with thunderous sub-woofers and a live video DJ to mix a Rock-Hip-Hop-Punk music extravaganza to what was accompanied by mostly exploitation grindhous-esque film clips with were digitally edited and mixed live to the music. The event rocked on til the black streeech limo arrived about midnight to whisk THE couple off to an unknown location, buuuuut not before 20 pounds of birdseed had been tossed along with Eli Roth's and Denoie's shoes at the blissful couple. The ever roaming peacocks and 5 newborn chicks loved this part of the night's festivites best!
In the parking lot about 50 guests hungout for ahalf hour trying to decide what to do next... they left to invade Austin's warehouse district bars for another couple of hours, but that's an entirely different story...
Some of the notables attending included; actor Elijah Wood, actresses Angela Bettis and Katherine Willis, directors Eli Roth and Richard Kelly, writers Paul Dini, Ernie Kline and Kevin Biegel, producers Elizabeth Avellan and Jim Jacks, filmmakers Tim McCanlies, Rana Joy Glickman, Ellen Spiro, Emily Hagins, Jeff Mahler, and Jackie Morgan, Amy Powell from Paramount, phantasmagorical illusionist Misty Lee, longtime Austin music insider Cass Hook, local subculture icon "Prince" of Atomic City, Austin Chronicle editor and SXSW co-founder Louis Black, constant Ebay collectible dealers Bob & Stella Morehead, visual artists Brian Mikeski, Scout Stormcloud, Monica Knighton, Dannie Knowles and in spirit the late Walter S. Falk the artist-friend who's burial was in Rockport, Texas at the same time as the wedding. He also served as Harry's Godfather hair's whole life.
From AICN there were reporter/spies Quint, Capone, Fathergeek, Massawyrm, Copernicus, Krakin, Annette Kellerman, Tom Joad, Johnny Wad, Jr. Mintz, Dorothy Parker, Flesh Gordon, John Robie, Babyface Nelson, Capt. Blood, and lil Piotro Pinkie.

and all that, good job, keep up the good work, many happ returns, blah blah blah blah, I can't say anything here that others haven't or won't say better, but I hope man that you have a blessed life togather. However no Rodriquez, No Tarintino, No Smith, where are all your directior friends? RR's probably working a film, but Tarintino and Smith aren't...are they?<P>no Sly, No Walter B<p>and why weren't the talkbacker's invited?

we don't want no heart attack to put an untimely end to your marriage or this website. neither do we want excess fat to cause lack of stiffness & marital satisfaction. no disrespect intended, sincere concern.

I can't believe you morons that are slagging the poor guy whilst he's out on his honeymoon. I don't see any pics of your model-esque bodies posted anywhere and I can't imagine that any of these pseudonyms represent the likes of Mischa Barton or Kate Moss. Tell you what, if you really want to start pointing fingers at Harry and Yoko, then let's see how you look on the interweb. I dare you to take on the crap that this guy gets on a daily basis.
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From what I read, Harry is a pretty nice guy. Let him enjoy the happiness he deserves. Your comments surely show what a 'True Ugly' person looks like.
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Grow up kids, you're out of elementary school now...

I don't log in that often, but I have to wish Harry and Yoko the best. AICN (and I suppose, the infamous talkback) has provided me with a lot of entertainment and great recommendations over the last 10 years. But sometimes I wonder how detached from reality the true geeks get. Therefore, it's refreshing to see Harry have a fulfilling personal life, and I wish them a happy life together. May you enjoy all the best that on-screen romances have always portrayed. Because at the end of the day, your love for movies can go pretty damn unreciprocated. But if you can find a woman who can, as they say, bring you lasagna at work, you've got to lock that down. Best of luck to you--and please stay healthy so I can maintain my edge of movie geek superiority among my cubemates.

Everyone please cut the BS about Harry's weight or skin tone or hair or whatever else you like to pick at in the photo. The guy is on his honeymoon for godsakes! Fortunately I dont think he cares, but if he did, it would be nice if you gave him -one- talkback after all these years where he isnt slugged or sniped at sooner or later. Face it guys, most of you would love to have the success he has... I have no problem admitting it. I run my own website, and I look up to Harry for the success he had with his. Harry, best of luck in your marriage, remember happiness is just an optional extra, love and togetherness are the must-haves, and everything else comes second. My best wishes.

could you ever have imagined being so brutally torn down by the fans of the website YOU created? fuck these people. shogunmaster is right, i'd love to see what some of these TBers look like. i give you my most sincere congratulations. she looks like a gem. thanks for the kick ass site too!

Any and all of you making "jokes" about Harry and Patricia are not funny, clever, or cute. You are pathetic jerkoffs. Maybe Harry was "lucky" to find his sweetie OR MAYBE, he's a good guy with a big heart and she sees that. Certainly, getting healthier is a good idea for everyone, including Harry, but lay off of the infantile remarks. My name is for real...I'm a Nerd and a Ninja. At Harry's discretion, I volunteer to boot head as needed. You've been warned.

gave harry the same tender pre-wedding speech my brother gave me before I got married. It went something along the lines of "why the fuck are you getting married? you may think this womans great now, but women change after you get married. you don't change, but she does."

Hahahaha, Harry got a hottie, and all across the world a million jealous wannabes sharpen their tongues and come back with the classic comeback line, Harry is fat. As you jerk off over your Paris Hilton posters, I'm sure he will be thinking of you whilst making the sweet love to his hot babe, cos believe it or not, there is more to life than AICN and more to life than inane weight jokes. I wish Harry and his Hottie a lifetime of happiness, may their children be many :)

I believe chocolate cake with apricots is more of a german thing. Central Texas has a lot of german traditions, especialy food.
</p> By the way, as a Texan, I had no idea there was an alternate name for lighting bugs. Is there?

<p>but it is a bizarre fact that AICNers have a habit of marrying above their station. It was weird to see all of the AICN wives/common laws gathered in one place at one time. Several of us remarked "How the hell did this happen?" It's one thing to learn that most regular AICNers are married, but even stranger to note how beautiful their wives are...especially in contrast. But there it is. For some reason, little hotties crave dorky man meat.</p>
<p>That should be our new recruiting motto. Join AICN. We'll get you a hottie.</p>

he was semi-rehabilitated when he unfortunately busted up his right leg/knee really badly, I think it was in 2002 or 3. There was a Cartuna pic of him with a robo-leg to commemorate this, but of course AICN search being what it isn't (a great anti-advertisement for "semperex") I can't find that article. But anyway him being confined to a wheelchair is only on-and-off the last few years and (one can hope) temporary.
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Anyone doubting that Harry will be doing the Truffle Shuffle on your collective graves, keep in mind that even injured, Harry climbed the 1001 steps of Pei Mei. And if anything (besides his own indomitable spirit) will get Harry out of that wheelchair for good, it is the love of a good woman, and he's got that!

This is what we've become. A nation of haters. Dude finds the love of his life and marries her and muthafuckas still have the gall to flame the guy. Fucking pathetic. May all you haters be cursed with a lifetime of jerking off in your mother's basement...or as you call it...World of Warcraft.

That is Harry running over broken ground at full speed... in the 1990's long before a back break put him in a chair which he work hard to get out of only to crush his ankle and end up in it again on a trip back from a Boston festival. He is walking with aid some now.

My girlfriend and I (well, really just her) just picked out her engagement ring. We'll probably be tying the knot sometime next year or early 2009. I hope our special day was as good as yours was. All the best, buddy......ps, your wife is hot.

ANd here i thought This was one of the most elaboratly thought through practical joke on the public senice the first election of George W Bush!!! THen again Pictures Don't lie. Unlike the afore menchoned Bush admin.

Mori had a moving deadline out in LA he couldn't avoid; Rodriguez is deep into pre-production on his next feature, Guillermo is half a world away in the middle of shooting his next flick, Smith wasn't invited, or Stallone, or WB, Peter Jackson shot the wedding invite and sent a great gift. He does live in New Zealand you know.

WALKED down the steps together during the birdseed pelting of a departure. which would have been more gentle if Eli Roth hadn't set the mischievous tone long before Harry and Patricia made their appearance. I don't know if anyone addressed this. Anyway, best wishes to the happy couple... Father Geek looked pretty spiffy himself... he must be very proud and happy to have gained such a lovely daughter-in-law and to see Harry so happy.

seriously. we need more happiness in the world. all the best to you and yours. <p> <p> also, thanks for the clarifications, father geek: i remember harry's accident, but i thought he was back to his tigger-y self long ago. and i'm also glad to hear that he and mori are on good terms. mori's absence from the guest highlights had me worried there for a bit.

I didn't realize Harry was back in the wheelchair, that sucks. I hope he can fully recuperate soon. I think it would be a cool Rocky type story if he could make a full comeback to his thinner tiggery bouncy self

I have to ask why this matters, and why anyone here cares. He runs a website and doesn't even know you exist. Hey guess what fellas, my daughter took her first steps yesterday. let's have a parade! As an aside: Harry, the least you could have done for your new bride is drop a few pounds and shave that horrible Amish beard... it does appear as though you showered. I guess it is a start.

you "still liked her enormously" - ha! Sorry, low...esp. since I've been decrying some of the level of discourse on here. Also though - Vicky DID make out with Bill in 7 Minutes in Heaven on Freaks and Geeks! But that was a one-timer, alas.

...Was when Gary Busey was on, and he went nutso by exercising round the clock and just flat out not eating, so he literally dropped his mandated weight within the first 2 weeks -- at which point he then spent all the remaining episodes egging and yelling and mocking everyone else, who were clearly struggling to lose a simple 2 pounds by the next weigh in.<p>But that was the crock of it and even that domineering Drill Sergeant guy saluted and congratulated him for it: Busey showed that if you just put your mind to it and DID IT, you could drop at least some weight pretty fast.<p>Meanwhile everyone else was doing what so many overweight people (particularly modern Americans who statistically ARE overweight and even outright obese) who do in life -- they were moaning that now they couldn't have their candy bars or drink their 2 six-packs of soda a day, eat between meals, have the extra extra sized Burger King meal.

After seeing the marriage license, I GUESS THERE IS NO TURNING BACK NOW! Sorry, Harry, but that's the sound of the BALL AND CHAIN being CLAMPED on your ankle. Thank god you have your HD-DVD player. At least you'll get some joy out of that. Seriously, Congrats. After all is said and done, if your happy, that's all that matters. Via con Dios, kid.

espically not this late in the TB. Fathergeek, man, I was just messing, I really am happy for the couple, I was just screwing around with the whole Walter Be, Stallone, Smith refrences. I knew Rodriquez was in the middle of production, and I wouldn't have thought anything about him, until I read his (ex?) wife's name on there. But thanks for the info. I know it must be hard with so many entrenced in this site, involved in the Hollywood process, to schedule everyone togather, I'm actualy surprised as many came as did come. Congrats again Big Red, You are now the geekdom's great white hope.

...Look, it can go both ways. If you're doing it just to be a wise ass or to piss on what should be a very happy moment in anyone's life, then fuck you. Obviously someone kicked your dog or ruined Santa Clause for you as a kid, so now as an adult you're just a miserable son of a bitch. You're probably impotent too, but that's likely to be a problem caused by a different psychological imbalance, something you should do some self-reflection over as well...<p>On the other hand, there's nothing wrong with nudging a close friend or family member and letting them know that for purely sound, long term HEALTH reasons they should take better care of themselves, especially if they're clearly letting something (like their weight) get out of control. And certainly if Harry's now going to be a married man and have someone in his life to look after...or even one day have a family...then that's a direction he should be more consciously directing himself towards. In those cases the nudge is made out of genuine concern, in which case I think it's fine assuming you're being polite and somewhat diplomatic about it.<p>On the flip side, to those defending Harry's weight because he's (possibly) in a wheelchair, you need to wake up to reality and simply check out something like a handicapped wheelchair race. Ever see the shape they are in? Just because you've lost the use of your legs does NOT mean you cannot be in good shape or solid health -- in fact because you're confined to a wheelchair and have lost a good sense of your mobility, you should be taking extra care and making extra effort to be sure you DON'T become overweight and that your cardiovascular system is up to speed.<p>So Harry doesn't get a pass from me just because he might be in a wheelchair, as sad as that might be and as much as you want to extend your sympathy to someone in that situation. Just the same, he could still diet better, exercise more, and do several things to help himself. That's just a cold, hard fact. And I am saying that in a sincere way since Harry seems like an okay guy and I do wish him all the best on his marriage -- which is obviously going to last a helluva lot longer and be a lot more fun if he IS in the best health he can be.<p>So, Harry, I wish you ALL the best on your marriage, man, and hope you and Patricia grow old and gray in bliss. But since you are married now, I really hope you'll take better care of yourself for the sake OF your marriage too.<p>Bottom line: it's stunning that right now 2/3 of all Americans are fat and overweight -- even MORE stunning that a full 1/3 are actually full-out OBESE. That's pretty sad. The crock of this being when I grew up we had plenty of gym time and things like that, and now you have school systems that will actually be AGAINST classes in P.E. and restrict them because they think it will hurt kids "self-esteem". Which is truly fucked up logic. Let me get this right: you don't want the heavy kids to exercise because it will hurt their feelings...yet being more active IN gym is exactly what will help them lose weight and get self-esteem back. I swear, we've become so used to looking the other way and not addressing weight issues in America -- other than to sell quicky diet books or plans so someone can get rich fast -- that I shudder to think what things will be like in another generation or two due to political correctness about NOT addressing things.

Or . . . not soon enough! Congrats to Yoko and Harry. And I too did not realize Harry was largely wheel-chair bound, and kept hobbling himself. Unfortunately, that does put a fella in a kind of Catch-22 . . . losing some serious weight would help Harry an awful lot as far as regaining mobility, and avoiding future injuries . . . at the same time, when you are largely wheelchair bound, it's hard to "hit the gym" and good food can be quite the anesthetic when your in pain and/or depressed.
Still, all the best to Harry. May your honeymoon not turn out like dude with Natasha Henstridge in Species! That would suck.

Really people, I know Harry is like the ugliest living man in america and it's a big deal to find an imagrant that would marry him, but let's drop it. It's a personal thing for them and we could really give a shit.

May all your tomorrows be better than all your yesterdays! And pay you no heed to the lonely losers who have negative things to say about this; I merely hope that somewhere their is a camera phone video of them lubing up their oft-patched Jenna Jameson blow up doll.

Harry just tells everybody that version because he's too modest a guy to tell them the truth. I have it on good authority that the real way Harry injured his back was when he once attempted the Triple Lindy while a member of the University of Texas dive team back in the 90's. Some asshole (rumor says it was Massawyrm) blew an air horn in between the second and third board, distracting Harry and causing him to crash.

Harry, congrats on your wondrous event and wishing you many fine years of true love, which some of these talkbackers will find is hard to come by. Much thanks for your site which brings me 1/2 hour or so of escapist joy most days.

I wish you both an amazing, long-lasting, and love-filled marriage with lots and lots of procreation or just fun 'ol recreational sex! THAT'S the best way to get into shape and sweat things out! Ignor the haters and be happy with yourself, your life, and your love!
Well, done, Harry! Well done!
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Oh, and now that I have read this talkback, my hot girlfriend actually makes sense to me. Oh, and to those who say that we aren't brave enough to show ourselves...
<p> www.myspace.com/saturdaynightrant
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And once again, may you live long and live happy!
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So saith the Prophet!

you look happy which is kind of cool because statistically speaking most of the people in this talkback will oprbably have an unhappy marriage and grow old and bitter, if not old, bitter, and divorced. its cool to have a soul mate thingy so I guess we got that in common and we both thought transformers was a disappointement which makes us friends. thanks for not inviting me to your wedding friend.

Is he a bit of a prick or something? I thought he gave Aint it cool trolls a moment in history as he called each and everyone of them out. Now come on, that was a marvelous feat. I only really like some of Smiths films, but he would have given us a superman movie to be proud of, even if he did only write it. I tell you, Brett Ratner on that script would have made us forget what the original Superman films even were. with that new franchise the old supermans would have been like old Batman serials. It was fucking good! And I will fight and argue with anyone who disagrees. Man that script got me excited. stupid corporate reality

I've read your site for a long time and you seem like the kind of guy who tries to get as much enjoyment out of life as possible. Hope you get as much enjoyment (heh, heh) out of your marriage as possible, too! All the best!

...seriously.<br><br>Harry, seriously, from the bottom of my heart as a long time reader, you must get that weight under control. It will kill you way too soon. Life is way too short to be hobbled by something that can be corrected. PJ did it. I did. Lot of folks have done it. You can too.<br><br>Oh, and congrats on landing the babe.

Harry, I can't believe the shit heads you have to put up with.
C'mon guys, do you REALLY think Harry needs your fucking advice? I'm sure he was really hoping somebody would tell him what he ought to do about his health. Thats why he posted the photo.
UNBELIEVABLE!
I'm not even talking about the assholes making fucking jokes, I'm talking about the people who have the GALL to offer "serious" warnings about harrys health!??!
Could you be any more pompous than to believe that your humble solution("you gotta get healthy") to someones "problems" could at all be helpful? Especially to a person you've never met, and never will meet?
This guy has the BALLS to put himself and his new wife in a vulnerable position because he wants to share a joyous occasion with you, and this is your response?? FUCKING ADVICE!!?!?
"Hey honey, you know how we've always wondered what kind of great advice we might get from talkbackers? I think I know how to pry it out of them..."
I apologize on behalf of my retarded brethren Harry.
God bless you, your wife and your marriage.
Love wins in the end.

Yes, Harry is a creepy-elf-like looking dude but quite sincere. I saw Harry for the first time in person at the Gladiator preview in S.F. (thanks again for the free tickets) and yes, he made me double take when he came front stage center after the movie. But once you get past the marble white skinned, unnaturally-red hair headed, uber round whatever (?) call it looks, Harry is simply a very nice funny guy. Thanks for sharing Father Geek. Best wishes for the future to Mr. and Mrs. Knowles

cue arrested development catch phrase ' I think i made a HUGE mistake!" ...
na .. kidding ... all the best to you kids! The wedding sounds a lot like a wedding I once attended in Alabama .. but there was no hobbit in attendence :)

AICN is in my top 3 most visited sites. I've always enjoyed reading your columns and you've always struck me as a very sincere guy. Patricia has a beautiful smile and I wish the best of luck to both of you.

Seriously, I'd kill myself if I was you. Every day I wake up and crack that first cold Coors Light, I think, goddamn, life's good, not being a self-important pole-up-the-ass clownshoe who dispenses health advice on AICN talkbacks. I could go kick stray dogs all day every day and I wouldn't be a TENTH as repulsive an individual as you are... I'll drink to that, baby!

I had to shake hands with Harry and tell him I was a fan. Patricia was nothing but smiles. She is indeed a beautiful woman, and a true sweetheart to boot. Congrats to the both of ya, and hope to see you both again sometime.

Glad you found each other Harry. I've been visiting your site since the beginning (not under this pseudonym) and it's nice to know you're living out your dreams and sharing them with someone who loves you too. Best of luck now and in the future.

Hey - I totally hear ya. But ya know - it isn't like I stuff down whole pizzas, eat half gallons of ice cream and drink non stop sodas. I've always been heavier than most, due mostly to a low basal metabolism. Even in high school when I was on the track team running 2 miles a day and in the weight room. But when I was paralyzed for 6 months - the weight poured on. Then the limited mobility made it hard to do anything but sustain the weight I had reached. Then 3 years ago, I reinjured my back when a guy accidently knocked me down some stairs, then the broken leg put me in the wheelchair.
<BR><BR>That's how the weight continues to grow - that said - I'm wearing the same sizes and not growing. Before I begin the building of the house, I'll be attempting to afford a lap-band surgery - because like a lot of you, I am concerned about my weight. Not because of anything other than the fact that I found someone I want to live longer with, to raise children with... and to provide you with a target to fire at daily. But it takes a while to get that sort of money in place, especially when you got finished paying for an extravagant wedding and trying to save up for a BLU-RAY player. (heh)
<BR><BR>I understand your worries - and I am aware of it. I think the "defenders" are aware of the fact that as a fat man in a wheelchair marrying a 20yr old... that I'm fully aware of my situation. Painfully so. And while your comment about a BOOGER is one thing... It's like telling a blind person, "YOU SHOULD SEE THIS!"
<BR><BR>It is a situation that is out of hand. And it's so out of hand, that a surgical procedure will have to take place, before I'm even capable of the exercise I really am looking forward to undertaking. Luckily - I've grown the site to a point where I am not necessarily needed daily around the clock as I ran the site for most of the last 11 years. I can afford to take the time to take the right steps, but it isn't an overnight process. It begins when I can pay for the surgery, out of pocket. Then once that process has dropped about a 100 lbs, I can begin the exercise portion after that, which will contribute to an accellerated weight loss and shaping up.

As a pro wrestling fan, look up "THE BLUE MEANIE" AKA"THE BLUE GUY" after the Beatles threatened to sue him. At the start of his carrer he was bigger than you! A Mainstay of the original ECW, he then started dateing a porn star. The next time i saw hint he was Thin, muscular and calling himself "THE BLUE BOY" That's whats awaits you once you get your bones mended!

the whole dateing a porn star thing. OH AND IN THE NAME OF GOD DO NOT DECIDE, after (or for that case before) getting a fit bod, TO SUBJECT THE WORLD TO A HARRY KNOWLES CELEBRITY SEX TAPE! DON'T NO ONE WANT TO SEE THAT!!!

I will click a few extra banner ads, if that helps. I think your health is the single best thing to spend money on. A dream house, cool cars, toys, etc. are tempting and desirable, but they really aren't what's important. <p> I am sadly in a position to speak from experience... I am currently selling off my motorcycle, my exotic car, preparing to move from my three-bedroom house to a manageable one-bedroom... this is because the love of my life left me six months ago, and when she had gone I realized just how meaningless all the material crap (including a gigantic record collection) I had accumulated was... it was not a health scare, but the heartbreak was eye-opening and put things in perspective. I am the least zen person ever, but material goodies really are bullshit, they have nothing to do with happiness.
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Anyway all the best, I will definitely think positive thoughts your way!

Harry,
As a surgeon Ive performed obesity surgeries and currently am working on new less invasive ways to help people with obesity issues. It pains me as a physician that help is not more readily available to you. I hope you are able to get assistence with both the surgical/medical end of weight loss as well as the mental emotional support necessary to truly make it a successful venture. I for one found your site many years ago and, if not for your personal stories that were an inherent part of your reviews, I would have quickly forgotten about this site. So I certainly am happy to get the update on your life and wish you and your bride all the best. (though I am certain your procreating would be almost a shot for shot remake of the opening to Hellboy) I am sorry that you have to air this part of your personal life and that your and your family's joy should be so quickly tempered be those who seek only to validate their own insecure lives by taking shots at you . Apparently they think obesity is about laziness or worthy of ridicule. Apparently they also think their ignorance is somehow less than those who laugh at people who are handicapped in one way or another. To me these people suffer from their own horrible illness - a lack of empathy.
Please do what you can to stay healthy until you can have your surgery - it doesn't replace a strong heart, lungs etc. Find a good experienced surgeon and carefully go over the options for surgery - the lap band is not entirely benign! I'd be happy to find you a referral so we can all get back to enjoying the site and what its all about.
best wishes and again, Congratulations!